Elegance

Portrait of an elegant man, by Jean Béraud, early 20th century. This work exemplifies the artist's portrayal of refined Parisian society.

Elegance is an aesthetic quality defined as beauty characterized by effective simplicity. It is employed as a measure of refined taste, particularly in domains of visual design, decorative arts, literature, science, and mathematical aesthetics. Elegant entities typically display refined grace and suggest maturity, and, in the context of mathematics, a deep understanding of the subject. In French, "élégance" is a positive aesthetic valuation. It signifies a mode of being, posture, speech, and so on. An elegant individual "élit," meaning selects, the superior option in areas of dress, verbal expression, or conduct. The term extends from individuals to chosen objects, such as elegant attire or language. Elegance is defined by efficient use of means and integration of parts within a whole, contrasting with ostentation, excess, or the pursuit of mere effect. Elegance stems from a form of intuition, applicable across disciplines. It is, for example, a significant attribute of mathematical beauty.

Examples

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